Correlational Characteristics of Hoof Conformation and Midstance Kinetics at Walk.

This research article investigates the relationship between hoof shape and configurations, and the distribution of stress (hoof kinetics) during the standing phase of a horse’s walk. The findings highlight some correlations between these factors which could influence common horse pathologies such as lameness.

Research Methodology

• The study involved nine healthy, unshod horses that were walked over a pressure plate to collect data.
• During this experiment, measurements for force (F), contact area (CA), contact pressure (CP), and peak contact pressure (PCP) were taken at different parts of the hoof (dorsal, palmar, medial, and lateral regions) and for the hoof overall.
• Digital radiography and digital photos were used to quantify 55 variables of internal and external hoof shape and dimensions.
• The correlation between the collected kinetics and anatomical observations were then evaluated using the Pearson correlation coefficient.
• The standards for significant results were set at P-values less than or equal to 0.05 and r values greater than or equal to 0.5.

Key Findings

• Various conformational traits showed significant correlations with biomechanical variables. An example of such a correlation was the negative relation observed between the toe angle and the contact area.
• Several measures of heel height had a negative correlation with dorsal force, indicating a possible trend.
• Measurements of the thickness of the dorsal hoof wall and the length/width of the distal phalanx (the bone inside a horse’s hoof) showed significant correlations with force and contact pressure.

Implications & Future Avenues

• The study primarily focused on the midstance phase of a horse’s walk. Subsequent research is called for to investigate other phases and gaits.
• The patterns found, concerning the correlation between internal structural configurations of hooves and their kinetics, encourage further study.
• The findings can be useful to veterinarians and farriers (specialists in horse hoof care) during routine care as well as during therapeutic trimming or shoeing of horses.